Office worker weeps while giving evidence at tribunal

AN OFFICE worker at a top private school broke down in tears yesterday as she claimed the headmaster forced her into a demotion after she went on maternity leave.

Fiona Gordon, 41, works in the admissions department at 8,700 per-term boarding academy Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

The mum-of-one said that she was targeted by headteacher Peter Hogan after announcing her pregnancy in August 2008.

Mrs Gordon said that, upon breaking the news to her boss, Mr Hogan told her his wife was made redundant when she became pregnant.

She claimed her department was restructured while she took maternity leave and said she returned to be told she had to re-apply for a more junior post with a salary 6,000 lower.

The claims were made at an employment tribunal in Edinburgh yesterday as Mrs Gordon sues the education establishment for 19,000 over claims of sex discrimination.

The tribunal continues.